Research, Development, Implementation

BIAS has two business units and an administrative department, each managed by a managing director. The business unit Materials Processing and Processing Systems is headed by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Frank Vollertsen., whereas the business unit Optical Metrology and Optoelectronic Systems is lead by Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Ralf B. Bergmann. Both scientific directors also hold a professorship at the University of Bremen and are actively involved with students and young academics. The research of BIAS is organized in nine working groups, each with a group leader.

Process Control in Joining

The working group „Process Control in Joining” is engaged in research and development for laser welding and brazing processes, especially for steel. Additionally, arc and hybrid laser arc welding processes are included in the portfolio. The group provides process developmentas well as monitoring and controll solutions for these processes for small and medium sized enterprises as well as for OEMs e.g. in the automotive sector.

Joining for lightweight construction

The group "Joining for Lightweight Construction" develops and investigates joining processes for lightweight materials such as aluminum and titanium alloys as well as carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP), as well as combinations of these material groups as multi-material designs. The applied processes include laser welding and laser brazing as well as joining processes that have a mixed character. Applications are found for example in the automotive or aircraft industry.

Surface Processing Technologies

The group “Surface Processing Technologies” deals with research and development for high wear resistance (e.g. laser cladding, MMC-surfaces, diamond layers (DLC)), as well as Additive Manufacturing Technology in metals by powder bed based laser beam melting and direct laser metal deposition (using powder or wire). Furthermore, the group has expertise in thermal and geometrical monitoring for quality assurance and closed loop control, tribology and metal forming as well as influences on fatigue cycle strength of cladded components.

Micro Manufacturing

The group micro manufacturing focusses on the miniaturisation of parts and processes as well as on the development of novel process chains for efficient production of micro metallic components.
Basic and applied research is conducted in micro forming, application of lasers in forming technology and laser shock processing for forming and joining.

Micro Structuring

The main focus of the group “Microstructuring” is the development of laser-thermal, laser-chemical and ultrashort laser processes for the specific adjustment of properties of metallic, ceramic and polymeric surfaces and components. The group provides research and development on laser-based processes for microhole drilling, defined surface roughness, wettability and other micro-features - like channels and grooves - from lab prototypes to industrial applications.

Nondestructive Testing

The non-destructive testing group (NDT) performs research and development in the area of new methods for quality assurance, centered around non-contact material testing. The methods comprise contact free ultrasound as well as coherent optical areal measuring techniques. The activities are centered around optical methods. The spectrum of laser wavelengths applied for measurement purposes reaches from visible to mid-infrared. The work creates the basis for industrially applicable systems. The core competency is in the area of Laser ultrasound and shearography.

Micro and Nano optics

Applications of micro and nano optics range from photonic integrated circuits to sensors or medical applications. Micro optical components are therefore key components of many opto-electronic systems and innovative products. The integration of optical components in electronic networks requires miniaturization and the introduction of new functions. The fabrication of new components for these purposes requires structure sizes down to the nanometer scale. For this purpose, the group ”Optical Metrology and Optoelectronic Systems“ operates a nanostructure laboratory with more than 100 m2 clean room area and corresponding modern equipment.

Geometrical Optical Metrology

The group “Geometrical Optical Metrology” deals with optical and thus non-contact, areal measurement of 3D-coordinates of objects. The measurement uncertainty has the same order of magnitude as that of methods measuring pointwise. Although the measurement time is significantly lower, the spatial density of measurements is significantly higher. The core competency of the group is the development of metrology and testing procedures based on coded incoherent light.

Coherent Optics

The group “Coherent Optics” investigates innovative approaches for the measurement and synthesis of wave fields of light. A prime motivation is the development of robust and - at the same time - precise methods to capture wave fields, which is the basis for metrology systems suitable for industrial use for 3D form and deformation measurements. Another goal is the design of refractive or diffractive optical elements, which for example allow for the application of holographic techniques for information storage, creation of safety features or the representation of 3D scenes. The core competence and strength of the group is the combination of coherent optics and optimization procedures known from signal processing.